Fabric-supplying device for book-sewing and similar machines.



F. HARRINGTON.

FABRIC SUPPLYING DEVICE FOR BOOK SEWING,AND SIMILAR MACHINES. APPLIOATI ON I'ILIED FEB.2B,1905.-

S/H/BESHEET 1.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

I. HARRINGTON.

FABRIC SUPPLYING DEVIGE FOR BOOK SEWING AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED PBB.28,1905.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. HARRINGTON. FABRIC SUPPLYING DEVIGE FOR BOOK SEWING AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

APPLICATION IILED FEB. 28,1906. 933,439. Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ANDREW. a. 0M)! 00. Fmo-umwmmma. wmnm n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT orricn.

FRANK HARRINGTON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SMYTI-I MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON NECTICUT.

FABRIC-SUPPLYING DEVICE FOR BOOK-SEWING AND SIMILAR MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 7, 1909.

, Application filed February 28, 1905. Serial No. 247,791.

To all whom it concern: V

a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, county of Hartford, and State of Devices for Book-Sewing and Similar Machines, fully described andrepresented in I the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of the same, A I A A A This invention relates .to certain improvements in fabricsupplying devices for book sewing and similar machines.

In assembling signatures into books, it is signatures are sewed together, the sewing passing through the band of fabricr It is I customary to supply the fabric to book sewing and stapling machines from a roll, and after a sufiicient number of signatures to form the book has been secured to the fab ric, the fabric is out. It is usual, however, to leave extensions or tabs of the fabric on each side of the book thus formed, these. ex tensions or tabs being used to secure the book in its cover. In the operation of book sewing and stapling machines, it is custo1nary, in order to provide, for these extensions or tabs of the fabric, to insert between each group of signatures whichforms a book, a

wooden spacing block which provides the necessary length of fabric to form extensions on the adjacent sides of two successive books and at the same time affords a surface over which the operator can run a knife to separate the books. The use of these spac ing blocks is, however, objectionable for the reason that it requires the time of the open ator to put the blocks in position, and for the further reason that theytake up space in the machine and require the books to be frequently removed. 7 V

It is the object of this invention to provide improved fabric supplying devices for book sewing and stapling machines which devices include means for forming a foldof fabric between signatures which fold may Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements mAFabrlc Supplymg j i be afterward cut to separate successive sig- Be it known that I, FRANK HARRINGTON,

supplying device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a slde view of the construction shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a section. Figs. i and 5 are sectional detail views illustrating the mode of action of-the fold forming device, and Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the fabric supplying-device applied to a book sewing machine.

Referring to the drawings, the construction which has been selected to illustrate a concrete embodiment of the invention is shown in connection with a-book sewing machine of the general type illustrated in Patent No. 435,618, granted September 2, 1890, tothe Smyth Manufacturing Co. of Hartford, Conn, as the assignee of J. R. Reynolds and A. I. Jacobs.

The construction embodying the invention will include suitable means for supplying fabric, and preferably this means will include a core on which the fabric is mounted. In the particular construction shown, a core 1 of wood or other suitable material is employed for this purpose, this core being supported on a shaft 2 which in turn is mounted in bearings 3 formed in hangers which are made integral with the side frames 4 of the machine. The roll 1 is or maybe formed with a cleft 5 into which the end of the fabric is inserted, as is usual in such constructions.

. In the best constructions embodying the invention, a tension device will be employed, which device may be of any suitable character. In the particular construction shown, the tension device includes a bar 6 over which the fabric is led (see Fig.3), and a bar 7, which bar is mounted in arms 8 pivoted on the bar 6. A light spring 9 is or may be employed to exercise a tensioning pull on thearms 8 and bar 7. If desired, there may for the fabric.

Machines with which the improved fabric supplying device is employed, will include means for securing the fabric to the signatures, and in some machines these means will also operate to secure the signatures together. The particular machine which has been seleeted to illustrate the operation of the improved fabricsupplying device is of the latter type, the fabric being secured to the signatures and the signatures being secured to each other by semi-circular needles 15 mounted on arbors 16, the needles being held in position by collars 17 secured on the arbors by screws 18.

The particular means for operating the needles and for supplying thread to the same are not illustrated inasmuch as an illustratien and description of. the same will not assist in an understanding of the presentinvention.

Machines with which the im roved fabric supplying device is employed will further include som means for holding the sigma tures in position while the securing means act, and these means may also act to position I tures are successlvely brought into position and supported by a signature carrying bar 19 which may be of any well known type,

and which may be moved by any desired means to bring the signatures into proper posltion.

vanced and supported on a table 20 which may be of any preferred construction.

The fabric, in the particular construction illustrated, is led from the channel 14 before referred to, to the signatures, marked 21, and as the signatures are brought successively into position by the signature car rying bar or other means, the "fabric is secured to the signatures by the securing means. Then a sufficient number of signatu'r'es to form a book have been secured to the fabric, a told is formed in the fabric, means which may be Widely varied in con struction being employed for-this purpose.

In the particular machine illustrated, the fold forming means includes a shaft 22 journaled in the side frames, this shaft having a squared central portion 23 and The sigi'iatures after being op-; erated upon by the securing means are adbeing provided with suitable fabric engaging means. The particular mcans illustrated consist of a plurality of toothed plates 24, though any other form of fabric engaging means may be used. Four of these toothed plates are employed, although this number may be varied as desired.

In thebest constructions, in order to form the fold in the fabric, the fold former, whatever be its particular construction, will be given a movement,'and when, as in the construction selected to illustrate the invention, the fold former is a shaft, this movement will be a rotary movement. This movement may be effected in any desired manner, and the means for effecting it will, in the best constructions, be under the control of the operator, so that the fold former may be brought into operation at varying times, according to the number of signatures which are to be secured to the fabric before the fold is made. In the particular construction illustrated, the shaft 22 is provided with a gear 25 which meshes with a spiral gear 26 mounted on a shaft 27 journaled in a long bearing 28 formed integral with a block 29 which is secured by screws 30, or many other suitable manner, to one of the side frames 4. This shaft 27 is or may be provided with a handle 31 by which it is turned, the handle being secured to the shaft by means of a pin 32 or in any other suitable manner. In the particular machine illustrated, the parts are so proportioned that the shaft 22 is given a quartenturn for each fold forming operation, and in order to effect this quarter turn, the shaft 27 is given a complete revolution. In order to notify the operator that the shaft 27 has made a complete revolution, there is, or may be provided, a spring pin 83 which engages in a notch formed in a collar 34 on the long bearing 28. The engagement between the pin and the notch is such that the pin will readily slip out of the notch when force is applied to the handle to turn it, the pin snapping back into the notch when a complete revolution of the shaft has been made. In the best constructions, a guide will be employed to insure the positive engagement of the fabric engaging device with the fabric. \Vhile this guide may be varied in construction, and will be varied according to the character of the engaging device employed, in the particular construction illustrated, this guide consists of a curved extension 35 which may be conveniently formed integral with the cross rib 13. This guide is or may be provided with grooves 36 into which the teeth of the plates 24 project.

In the operation of the device, after the desired number of signatures has been secured to the fabric, the shaft is rotated and the teeth of the plates 24 engaging the fabric, feed it forward and throw it down into a loop. This operation is illustrated in Fig. 4, the parts as there shown being illustrated in the position they occupy just after the fold forming operation is begun.

Machines with which the improved fabric supplying device is employed will usually be provided with means for advancing the signatures. In the particular construction employed to illustrate the invention, this advancing movement of the signatures is effected by the fold forming means. The construction by which the fold forming means is employed to advance the signatures and is given the necessary movements for this purpose, may be of any suitable character. In the particular construction illustrated, the fabric feeding device is mounted on slides 37 and these slides are, by any suitable mechanism, given a movement toward and away from the signatures. The mechanism employed for moving these slides may include racks 37' formed on or suitably secured to the slides 87, these racks being engaged by pinions 37 mounted on a cross-shaft suitably supported on the frame of the machine, this mechanism being similar to that employed for moving similar slides carrying a presse'r bar in the Reynolds and Jacobs patent above referred to. These slides will, of course, be operated after each signature has been secured to the fabric and this movement of the slides is utilized after each fold forming operation to lay the fold. The position of the parts after a fold has been laid is illustrated in Fig. 5, the folds formed in the fabric being marked 38 in this figure.

In the best constructions embodying theinvention means will be employed to hold the fold after it is laid, thus preventing it from springing open after the fold laying device has retreated and thus getting in the way of the succeeding signature. In the particular construction shown, this holding function is effected by means of fingers 39, these fingers being mounted 011121. slotted bar 40 which is given a rising and falling movement. This bar 40 is mounted on the front of an overhanging arm 41 indicated in Fig. 6, which serves to support the sewing mechanism. The means for operating this bar 40 may include a pivoted lever 40 connected to an extension 40 of the slide by means of a link 40. This lever may be operated from a suitable cam, not shown. The plates 24 before referred to are or may be provided with recesses 42 into which. the fingers enter when the fingers are in their downward position. In order to prevent the bottom of the signatures from falling outward as the signature carrying bar retreats, a stop bar 43 is or maybe provided, this bar being adjustably mounted on rods 44 depending from the side frames 4.

While the construction shown embodying the invention is believed to be the best form for carrying the lnvention into effect, 1t is to be understood that changes and variationsmay be made therein without departwhile the particular devices illustrated are shown operating in connection with a single band of fabric which is applied to the back of a book, the invention is not limited to such use but may be employed in connection with the application of a plurality of bands or tapes, and that the term fabric herein used applies not only to a single band or tape but to a plurality of such bands or tapes.

What is claimed is 1. In an organized machine for securing signatures together to form books, the combination with signature supporting and advancing means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, and means for operating the former to produce a fold in the fabric betweensuccessive groups of signatures.

2. In an organized machine for securing signatures together to form books, the combination with signature supporting and advancing means, of means for supplying fabricto the backsof the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to produce a fold in the fabric between successive groups of signatures and a fabric guide-cooperating with the former.

3. In an organized machine for securing signatures together to form books, the combination with signature supporting and ad vancing means, of means for supplying fabric. to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to produce a fold in the fabric between successive groups of signatures and a tension device cooperating with the former.

4. In an organized machine for securing signatures together to form books, the combination with signature supporting and advancing means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold'former, means for operating the former to produce a fold in the fabric between successive groups of signatures, a fabric guide and tension device cooperating with the former.

5. The combination with signature SUP? porting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, and means forgiving it a rotary movement to form a fold of fabric between the signatures.

(3. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing itthereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to form the fold, and a fold retaining means.

7. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to form a fold, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, and fold retaining means.

8. The combination with signature supportingmeans, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to form a fold, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, fold retaining means, and a tension device.

9. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, and a rotary fold former having fabric engaging devices.

10. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having fabric engaging devices, and a fabric guide cooperating with the former.

11. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former hav ing fabric engaging devices, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, and a tension device.

12. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, and means under the control of the operator for causing said devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds therein.

13. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, means under the control of the operator for causing the devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds-therein, and a fabric guide cooperating with the former.

14. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices,

means under the control of the operator for causing the devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds therein, a. fabric guide cooperating with the former, and a tension device.

15. The combination with signature sup porting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, means for operating the former to cause the devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds therein, and a fold retaining device.

1G. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, means for operating the former to cause the devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds therein, a fold retaining device, and a fabric guide cooperating with the former.

17. The combination with signature supporting means, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, means for operating the former to cause the devices to successively engage the fabric and form folds therein, a fold retaining device, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, and a tension device.

18. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it hereto, :1 fold former, and means for operating the former to form folds.

19. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to form folds, and a fabric guide cooperating with the former.

20. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for operating the former to form folds, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, and a tension device.

21. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for giving the fold former a movement to advance the signatures after the securing devices have acted,

and means for giving the former a rotary movement to form the fold in the fabric.

22. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the si natures and for securing it thereto, a fold 'ormer, means for giving the fold former a movement to advance the signatures after the securing devices have acted, means for giving the former a rotary movement to form the fold in the fabrics, and a fabric guide cooperating with the former.

23. The combination with ineansfor successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former, means for giving the fold former a movement to advance the signatures after the securing devices have acted, means for giving the former a rotary move ment to form the fold in the fabric, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, a tension device, and a fold retaining device.

24. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, a fabric guide cooperating with the former, means for giving the fold former movements after the securing device has acted to advance the signatures, and means for giving the fold former rotary movements to form the folds.

25; The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric-to the backs of the signatures and for securingiit thereto, a shaft having a plurality of fabric engaging devices thereon, a fabric guide cooperating with said devices, and means for rotating the shaft. 7 7

2G. The combination with means for successively positioning and supportingsignatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, a fabric guide cooperating therewith, a pair of slides which support the former and give it movements to advance the signatures after the securing means has acted, and means for rotating the former to form the fold.

27. The combination with means for 311C." cessively positioning and supporting signatures, of means for supplying fabric to the backs of the signatures, and for securing it thereto, a rotary fold former having a plurality of fabric engaging devices, a fabric guide cooperating therewith, a pair of slides Which support the former and give it movements to advance the signatures after the securing means has acted, means for rotating the former to form the fold, a tension device, and a fold retaining device.

28. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of a shaft having a rectangular portion, a plurality of toothed plates mounted 011 said portion, means for supplying fabric to the backs of signatures and for securing it thereto, a guide cooperating with the plates, means for rotating the shaft to cause the plates to engage the fabric to form folds therein, and a pair of slides by which the shaft is given a movement to advance the signatures after the securing means has acted.

29. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of a shaft having a rectangular portion, a plurality of toothed plates mounted on said portion, means for supplying fabric,

to the backs of signatures and for securing it thereto, a guide cooperating with the plates, means for rotating the shaft to cause the plates to engage the fabric to form folds therein, a pair of slides by which the shaft is given a movement to advance the signatures after the securing means has acted, and a fold retaining device.

30. The combination with means for successively positioning and supporting signatures, of a shaft having a rectangular portion, a plurality of toothed plgtes mounted on said portion, means for supplying fabric to the backs of signatures and for securing it thereto,a guide coeperating with the plates, means for rotating the shaft to cause the plates to engage the fabric to form folds therein, a pair of slides by which the shaft is given a movement to advance the signatures after the securing means has acted, a fold retaining device, and a tension device.

31. In a book stitching machine, means for securing an attachment band to a series of sheets and a guide mounted on the machine frame, in combination with means pivoted to the frame for driving such hand down into a loop after a series of sheets has been stitched to said band.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK HARRINGTON.

Witnesses: 1

MARY E. OREEDON, ROBERT H. ScHUTz. 

